We are trialling new approaches to increasing biodiversity at several Landmarks around the country.
Environmental Sustainability
The Landmark Trust was founded to preserve and share historic buildings and places. For almost sixty years our approach to buildings, furniture and life in general has been about adapting and reusing.
We believe heritage is part of the solution to the extraordinary challenges of climate change and are committed to continuing to play our part in tackling them. Conservation is at the heart of what we do, and this extends way beyond our role as revivers of heritage to our care of the natural environment. Many of the traditional methods and materials that we use are in themselves inherently more sustainable than their modern equivalents, and we set out to conserve what is already there wherever possible.
Landmark has drawn up an ambitious plan to make our work even more environmentally sustainable, with a commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2045, and sooner if possible. We cannot, however, accomplish all that must be done alone. So in addition to working closely with environmental change experts we're also members of networks such as Fit for the Future and we welcome support for The Greener Landmark Fund, which you can read about below.
Support our mission to halve our carbon emissions
If you’d like to support our environmental goals, please consider donating to The Greener Landmark Fund. This fund is dedicated to helping fulfil our commitment to adapt to climate change, such as by adding electric vehicle charge points at our properties, installing air and ground source heat pumps, using solar panels and triple glazed windows, planting trees, paying for waste re-cycling services and protecting wildlife.
Donate now
The steps we are taking to achieve our goal
Electric vehicle charging
We aim to install electric car charging points at all Landmarks with parking over the next few years. Find a Landmark with EV charging.
Converting our Big 10
We have identifed our biggest carbon emitting buildings and are converting them to renewable energy.
Green energy for Lundy
We are installing wind and solar infrastructure on Lundy to power the island with green energy.
Energy efficiency
We are draughtproofing and insulating buildings to improve the thermal performance.
Protecting our most vulnerable buildings
A significant number of Landmarks are vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as coastal erosion, storms and flooding. We have identified the buildings most at risk and are working to mitigate these effects, seeking to adapt buildings to their conditions. At Saddell Castle, for example, we are replanning the accommodation to make better use of the upper floors of the building, and will be carrying out roof works to ensure it can bear heavier rainfall.
Our Building Design Guide, which sets out our principles and approaches for staff or contractors repairing historic buildings, was updated in February 2024 to include a range of climate adaptations. These include using long lasting durable and natural materials, hard surfaces that are free-draining, gardens to include trees and soft landscaping for water retention, and insulation and thermal improvements wherever possible.
Furnishings and interiors
Our approach to furnishing matches our approach to buildings: it’s all about adapting and reusing. Much of the furniture you’ll find throughout a Landmark (except soft furnishings) is bought second-hand by our Furnishings team and chosen to reflect the character of the Landmark. Broken items are repaired locally before we consider replacements.
Our cleaning materials have also been switched to more ecologically friendly brands, based near to our offices. The thermal linings for our properties’ curtains and furniture covers are also made locally.
Sustainable travel
Each time you choose to stay in a Landmark you are not only choosing a low carbon approach to holidaying, but you are directly contributing to the survival of historic places. The rental income generated by your stay flows directly back into our buildings. With each holiday booking, we can thatch and plaster. We can gild, grain and harl, reapply limewash, repoint, repair and redecorate.
